The next day, Ke Teng wanted to drive Jian Fei to work.
Fearing that yesterday's events would repeat themselves and she would become a complete outcast among her colleagues, she firmly refused.
Ke Teng conceded.
"Alright then. If you don't want me to go, I won't. But I have a condition."
This big man, why did he have more demands than her, a woman, all day long?
Jian Fei asked him what his condition was.
"No matter when I message you, you must reply immediately and tell me the truth."
"I hate it when people lie to me. If you hide anything from me, I promise I'll rush to your side immediately."
Jian Fei imagined that scene and got goosebumps all over.
"Got it, I'm running late, I'm leaving now."
Upon entering the office, as expected, her colleagues all converged on her.
"Who was that person yesterday? What's your relationship?"
"He picked you up from work and put his arm around your shoulder. Is he a relative?"
Everyone had already assumed that someone like Jian Fei couldn't possibly have a rich boyfriend, and Jian Fei didn't want to incite envy.
"A client. The director just secured an investment client for the research building a couple of days ago."
"We met briefly in Shangcheng before. He just sees me as a friend, and since he was in the area, he stopped by to see me. Putting his arm around my shoulder was just a joke."
Everyone was more inclined to believe this version.
"You're so lucky to be friends with someone like that."
Jian Fei's status in the office improved significantly.
Even the welcome drink that she didn't get as a true newcomer was put on the agenda today.
When the director came to work, everyone chimed in.
"Jian Fei has been in our department for over a month now and is familiar with everyone. Shouldn't we arrange a welcome drink?"
"It'll foster better understanding and harmony in our future work."
The director, now considering Jian Fei his key protégé, immediately agreed to everyone's request.
Before Jian Fei could even refuse, everyone happily made the arrangements.
Working until nine o'clock, Ke Teng messaged her.
"What are you doing?"
"What can I be doing? Working."
"Are your colleagues gossiping about you, asking about our relationship?"
Jian Fei answered truthfully: "Yes."
"Then what did you say?" Ke Teng sent a melon-eating emoji.
"What else could I say? I said we were friends, that we knew each other from Shangcheng and had some acquaintance."
Ke Teng paused for a moment, seemingly accepting her explanation.
"Are you tired?"
Jian Fei thought he was referring to her work: "It's just ordinary clerical work, nothing technical. How tiring can it be?"
"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about last night."
"..." Startled, Jian Fei quickly glanced around.
Fortunately, no one was paying attention to her: "It's the middle of the day, can you talk about something else?"
Ke Teng deliberately teased her: "You wouldn't say it at night, and you won't say it during the day. When do you want to talk about it?"
"Speak quickly. If you don't answer, I'll keep asking."
Jian Fei had no choice but to reply: "Tired."
"Then I won't come over tonight."
That was too much to thank him for.
Coincidentally, there was a welcome party tonight, and she didn't have time to accompany him.
Jian Fei's heart leaped with joy. Before she could even type "Okay," he maliciously added another message.
"Come over to my place."
"..."
"I have a psychological shadow from your bed, I couldn't perform properly yesterday... If you move to my place, the environment will be better, won't it?"
She was truly exasperated with him.
Jian Fei asked him, "Don't you have work? Are you that idle? Where do you get so much energy? Don't you get tired?"
"A man can say he's tired anytime, but not at this moment. Alright, consider it agreed. I'll have someone pick you up after work."
Jian Fei quickly asked him for leave.
"No, the director is arranging a welcome drink for me. I'll be back late today."
"You've been working for over a month, what kind of welcome is this? I think your director is deliberately ruining my plans. I'll call him."
Jian Fei was almost scared to death.
Calling about something like this, would she still have any dignity?
"Don't! Ke Teng, don't be crazy!"
Ke Teng sent a string of laughter.
"I'm just kidding with you. I'm not that unreasonable. Look how scared you are."
"I have something to do today too, so I'll be back late as well. See you later then."
"Send me the party location, and I'll have someone pick you up when it's over."
He was too overbearing. Jian Fei knew she couldn't win against him, so she sent him the address.
The group politely had a somewhat perfunctory dinner.
As it was a group of women, most of whom were married with children, they couldn't stay too late. They dispersed around nine o'clock.
Jian Fei messaged Ke Teng in advance. Ke Teng replied with a laughing-crying emoji.
"What kind of meal did you have? It ended at nine, and I haven't even started yet."
"Then you eat slowly. I won't be coming over tonight."
"Dream on. I'm not eating anymore, I'm going back now. It's good enough that I showed up and sat with them for so long."
Jian Fei advised him: "No, don't. It's bad for your health not to eat!"
"Then we'll eat at the hotel later."
Jian Fei was helpless and had to agree.
Unexpectedly, when she stepped out of the restaurant, it wasn't his assistant waiting, but Ke Teng himself who picked her up.
He rolled down the window and waved to everyone standing by the road. Their eyes lit up.
"He's here to pick you up? Jian Fei, your friend is really good to you."
Jian Fei gave an awkward laugh and waved goodbye to everyone.
Once in the car, Ke Teng smelled a faint scent of alcohol on her but noticed no excitement on her face.
"Did you not enjoy the meal?"
"Mmm. If it weren't for you, they wouldn't have specifically invited me to dinner unless they thought I had some value."
Jian Fei unconsciously relaxed.
"We barely speak a few words normally, it was so awkward."
"Then are you full? Be honest."
Jian Fei said no.
"I didn't eat more than ten bites the entire time."
"Poor thing." Ke Teng reached out and pinched her cheek.
"Then let's eat together back at the hotel. What do you want to eat?"
She always felt he liked to put on airs of being older than her, as if he were her senior.
In reality, they were around the same age.
Jian Fei slapped his hand away and asked him.
"How old are you this year? Calling me a poor thing, maybe I'm your elder sister."
"My apologies, I'm just two days older than you."
Ke Teng winked at her smugly.
"The first time I saw you, I knew you were younger than me, which is why I wasn't convinced."
Back in the room, Ke Teng ordered some food Jian Fei hadn't tried.
While waiting for the food, he asked Jian Fei to go to the bathroom and run him a bath.
Jian Fei went, but unexpectedly, he followed her in.
As soon as the bathroom door was locked, his eyes revealed a dangerous glint.
Jian Fei felt like a lamb being led to slaughter.
"What are you going to do?"
"What do you think?"
"Aren't you hungry?"
"That doesn't conflict with this."
"How can it not conflict..."
"If you pity me, then you can provide the effort."